Call for Art! Artists and creators of all ages, mark your calendars! If you live in the Morongo Basin and have an interest in recycling, repurposing, and reimagining, now is your opportunity to share your artistic transformations at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s 20th annual recycled art exhibition, this year titled, “Wondrous Waste.” To see a list of the Rules and Regulations for the exhibition, please click here.
Entries from Morongo Basin artists can be brought to the Museum from March 11-14, 2026. Entries from artists outside the Morongo Basin will be accepted March 14th if space is available.
The exhibition, “Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition,” will run from Saturday, March 21 through Saturday, May 9, 2026.
For additional information, please contact Collections & Exhibits Coordinator Charlie Rossow at 760-369-7212 or crossow@yucca-valley.org.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, February 7, 2026
11:00 a.m.
Join representatives from the San Bernardino County Department of Health as they provide important information about public health and mosquito prevention. Their interactive presentation will include:
- An educational talk on mosquitoes and how to prevent them
- A display of taxidermy specimens of rodents and other vectors
- One-on-one engagement with community members to answer questions and share resources
This event will take place at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum. It is free and open to the public!
Saturday, February 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Analyze abstract mathematical theories through making, experimentation, and play. No advanced background in mathematics is necessary!
Participants will color, cut, tape, twist, and test their creations to explore big ideas about geometry, engineering, and design. From transforming a Möbius strip into two interlocking hearts with a single cut, to impossible shapes and higher-dimensional objects, this workshop will dive deep into the wonderful, wacky and weird world of Topology.
This workshop is for children ages 9-14 and is $15 per participant. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information or to register, click here!
Saturday, February 21, 2026
2:00 p.m.
From tiny pollinators to industrious builders, the Morongo Basin is alive with an incredible diversity of insects. This presentation by Scott Heacox explores the fascinating world of local beetles, bees, butterflies, ants, and more, highlighting their unique adaptations, survival strategies, and essential roles in the desert ecosystem. Discover how these often-overlooked creatures connect plants, animals, and people in the vibrant web of life that defines the Morongo Basin.
This lecture is free, and registration is not required.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Discover the FUN in the fundamentals of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math with hands-on art projects that promote lateral thinking and enhance creativity. See abstract ideas come to life through interactive activities that aim to heighten comprehension of core STEAM subjects and highlight interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
The workshop is $15 per participant and registration is required. Same day registration is available if spots are available. These workshops fill up fast, so early registration is highly recommended! Click here to register!
Currently On Display
NATURE'S BLUEPRINTS:
BIOMIMICRY IN ART AND DESIGN
On Display November 22, 2025 to March 7, 2026
The exhibition, Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design, brings together art and design with environmental science using artifacts, artworks and photography, as well as interactive learning stations.
This exhibition is aimed to encourage discourse among audiences of all backgrounds as our understanding of the natural world can lead to some extraordinary creations that improve lives and reduce our impact on the environment. Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design is an adaptation of the High Desert Museum’s Innovation Lab: Design Inspired by Nature, and is produced and toured by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Click here for more information on Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design.
Photo Credits:
*Roger Bruhn, Photograph of Patrick Dougherty’s Three of a Kind, Private Residence in Nebraska, 2013; digital photograph, 10 7/8 x 16 3/8; Courtesy of Karen and Robert Duncan
*Alan Bur Johnson, Progeny Fig. 2, 2011; photographic transparencies and insect pins, 15 x 18 x 3 inches framed; Courtesy of the artist and Lisa Sette Gallery
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave
A digital exhibit and archive about Giant Rock, a 30,000 ton granite boulder located in the Morongo Basin.
This interactive touchscreen exhibit encourages visitors to discover and explore the nuances that make Giant Rock a unique and cherished Morongo Basin landmark. Giant Rock is most notoriously known for the ‘giant’ personalities who lived near and even under it. However, it has also served as an intermediary for certain stories and events. The exhibit provides a series of interpretive narratives explaining these nuances while incorporating some never-before-seen images, documents, publications, and videos which help illustrate Giant Rock’s history.
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave,was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Would you like to make a donation? Museum staff are happy to accept your donation in person or you can click the link below to be taken the Recreation Management portal to complete an online donation. Simply click on the green Museum tab, then Museum Sponsorship, and select your donation level. Your donations help fund children’s education programming, animal caretaking, exhibit maintenance, and so much more! Thank you for your kind donation!
